Forest official faces probe

March 11th, 2008 | posted by Anjali

NAGPUR: The deputy commissioner of Employment Guarantee Scheme

(EGS), Nagpur, has ordered probe against then deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Nagpur Forest Division, Naresh Zurmure,

for various irregularities in EGS works implemented in the division during his two-year tenure.

A letter (copy

of which is with the TOI) issued by executive engineer (EGS) to the deputy conservator of forests, Nagpur Forest Division, on

February 26, has asked to submit copies of the work orders issued by Zurmure to various range forest officers (RFOs) and

details of the amount spent on all these works.

According to reliable sources, some staffers have filed a

complaint against Zurmure alleging that host of irregularities in EGS works like plantations, wages, construction of forest

roads, nurseries and boundary marking were committed during the official's two-year tenure.

The present DyCF

has also been asked to submit details of wages as per the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and how many workers were engaged and

their attendance register.

The Nagpur Forest Division is the biggest division in the entire state with 16 ranges

â€” Katol, Kalmeshwar, Kondhali, Butibori, Hingna, Parsheoni, Ramtek, Narkhed, Deolapar, Khapa, Paoni, South Umred, North

Umred, Bhiwapur, Kuhi and Seminary Hills.

A large number of works were carried out in the division during

2005-2007, before the official was shifted to Sawantwadi Forest Division in October last.

The EGS investigating

official had demanded to submit all the documents by March 7. However, when contacted, chief conservator of forests (CCF),

territorial, S W H Naqvi, could not confirm what action has been taken in the matter.

However, it's learnt that

DyCF Dr Dileep Gujar has asked the respective RFOs to send the details about various works undertaken in their

ranges.

Meanwhile, while talking to TOI, M A H Khan, deputy commissioner (EGS), confirmed to the TOI that such a

probe has been ordered.

"We've received a complaint from some staffers about the irregularities and therefore a

probe has been ordered.

We've not yet received any information from the forest department but once we get it

and anything wrong is found, we will take action," he asserted.

Source:

Vidarbha